Chris Wagner scored a goal in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Nashville in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.

Wagner opened the scoring at the 12:46 mark of second period. Brandon Montour and Jakob Silfverberg picked up the assists on Anaheim's only goal. This was Wagner's first goal since Game 3 of their second-round series against Edmonton. Wagner has two goals in 16 games during the postseason. The Ducks are now on the brink of elimination, as they trail the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6 will be played in Nashville on Monday. May 20 - 11:07 PM

Chris Wagner has been making the most of his limited playing time in the postseason.

Wagner has been skating on the fourth line with Jared Boll and Nate Thompson. They were an effective group in Game 7 on Wednesday and while they didn't get a point in that game, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle credited one of their second period shifts as the turning point of the contest. "We had a couple of good shifts in a row," Wagner said. "We just tried to grind, do what we do. It’s been the M.O. for our whole team this year. And then they didn’t call many penalties, so we were able to get out there regularly and get some continuity. If you do have a chance to do something, you do it. You’re probably not getting that chance again." Depth is always important, but it matters much more in the playoffs. Wagner might not score a key goal in the Western Conference Final, but the Ducks will be looking to him to have good shifts. May 12 - 9:52 AM

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Chris Wagner scored a goal in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Nashville in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.

Wagner opened the scoring at the 12:46 mark of second period. Brandon Montour and Jakob Silfverberg picked up the assists on Anaheim's only goal. This was Wagner's first goal since Game 3 of their second-round series against Edmonton. Wagner has two goals in 16 games during the postseason. The Ducks are now on the brink of elimination, as they trail the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6 will be played in Nashville on Monday.

Chris Wagner has been making the most of his limited playing time in the postseason.

Wagner has been skating on the fourth line with Jared Boll and Nate Thompson. They were an effective group in Game 7 on Wednesday and while they didn't get a point in that game, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle credited one of their second period shifts as the turning point of the contest. "We had a couple of good shifts in a row," Wagner said. "We just tried to grind, do what we do. It’s been the M.O. for our whole team this year. And then they didn’t call many penalties, so we were able to get out there regularly and get some continuity. If you do have a chance to do something, you do it. You’re probably not getting that chance again." Depth is always important, but it matters much more in the playoffs. Wagner might not score a key goal in the Western Conference Final, but the Ducks will be looking to him to have good shifts.

Wagner was sent to the minors on Saturday, but then recalled on Sunday, so this could be another very brief stint. In fact, he was in the minors for such a short duration that he didn't end up missing a Ducks contest due to his demotion. He has three goals and no assists in 25 games with Anaheim in 2016-17.

He was playing in his second game with the Ducks during his latest recall from the minors. Wagner was brought up due to an injury to Ryan Getzlaf. He has three goals in 23 appearances with Anaheim this year.

Once again it'll be Chris Wagner and Korbinian Holzer on the pine as the Ducks take on the Flames on Sunday.

Unfortunately, neither player boasts much fantasy value. Through 21 games thus far Wagner has posted just two goals and 46 hits, not bad rates if you're in need of physical play. Holzer however is still waiting to play his ninth game of the season.

Chris Wagner and Korbinian Holzer will both be scratched against Oilers on Saturday.

Through 21 games thus far, Wagner has posted just two goals and 46 hits. Not bad rates on the physical front in you're in the right league. Holzer has just eight games played this season, and does not appear to have much of a role.

It was initially reported that he was sent down after he cleared waivets, but that isn't the case. He was listed as a scratch against Edmonton on Tuesday night, but he is slated to play against New Jersey on Thursday.

Depth Charts

The duo spent plenty of time apart last season but were re-united in the playoffs when Patrick Eaves was injured. Eaves could wind up on the other side of Getzlaf and Perry once he returns from injury. Other line combinations for Anaheim as they head into the season were Rickard Rakell centering wingers Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg and Antoine Vermette between Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase. Getzlaf should be drafted in the fifth or sixth rounds of most drafts as he is likely to get 15-20 goals and 70-80 points barring injury in 2017-18.

Anaheim GM Bob Murray hopes to have Ryan Kesler back in the lineup by Christmas.

However, there is no official timeline for Kesler's return. He underwent hip surgery on June 8. Kesler appeared in all 82 games with the Ducks last season, while accounting for 22 goals, 58 points and 83 penalty minutes.

Antoine Vermette might slot in on a line with Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg due to Ryan Kesler's absence.

Kesler might miss the first half of the campaign due to a hip injury, which has create a big hole for the Ducks to fill. The Ducks are experimenting with using Rickard Rakell as a center in Kesler's absence, but that doesn't mean he'll also be playing alongside Kesler's usual linemates from 2016-17. Vermette might end up averaging more time than the 15:54 minutes he got last season while Kesler is absent, but Vermette still wouldn't be a significant offensive threat.

Sam Steel, the Ducks first round pick in 2016, is travelling with the team to Nashville for Game 6.

Steel led the Western Hockey League with 131 points in the regular season and was second in playoff scoring with 30 so the Ducks picked a good one with the 30th selection. While it is doubtful he will get into the lineup, the experience of being with the playoff team will be invaluable to Steel in the future. Grab him in keeper leagues but don't expect him to crack the Ducks lineup next season.

Rickard Rakell skated at center during the first day of training camp.

The Ducks need him to play center because Ryan Kesler will be out for a few months. "I feel like I can be a better hockey player than I was last year," Rakell said. "I scored a lot of goals and I don’t want to take anything away from that. I still feel I can make more plays and create a lot more space for myself and my teammates more." The 24-year-old had a team-high 33 goals in 71 games with the Ducks.

Nick Ritchie scored two goals in Monday's 6-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes.

Ritchie was the 10th overall pick in 2014, so you know the Ducks have high hopes for him. Last year was his first full year in the NHL, and he scored 14 goals and 14 assists in 77 contests. As core players like Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry get older, young players like Ritchie will have to step up and produce more. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Although it is not probable, Andrew Cogliano could be on Vegas' draft list.

The underrated Ducks' Ironman could be the one player the Knights select in the expansion draft June 21st."It could be weird," Cogliano said. "I haven’t talked to Bob (Ducks GM Bob Murray) and I don’t think he’s said anything on that. It’s just too early in the process and I don’t know how it’s going to work in terms of what if you don’t find out, what if you don’t."It’s kind of a different scenario. I think you have to prepare for it mentally in terms of there’s a possibility. But for me, I just go with my regular business. That I’m here."
Knights' GM George McPhee may have other targets in mind on the Ducks. He may choose to scoop up Sami Vantanen if he is left unprotected and is not traded by the 21st. Stay tuned.

Dennis Rasmussen might end up serving as Anaheim's fourth-line center.

It's a position that opened up when Nate Thompson decided to sign with Ottawa over the summer. The fact that Ryan Kesler is hurt changed things a bit too in that battle as it will likely result in Antoine Vermette moving up in the depth charts. Two of his main competitors at this point are Sam Steel and Derek Grant, but Rasmussen is the favorite to get the job.

Ondrej Kase is hoping to produce more offense for the Ducks this season.

Kase played 53 games for the Ducks last season, and he collected five goals and 15 points during that span. Although he's hoping to do more scoring this year, his best quality is that he provides energy for his team. Expect him to stick with the Ducks this season, but he won't have any fantasy value.

Max Jones scored a goal in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Jones was the Ducks' first round pick, 24th overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old had 36 points in 33 games with the OHL's London Knights. The Ducks could give him a long look in training camp, but there's a decent chance that he could end up back in junior this season.

Corey Perry has tied the record for the most overtime goals in a single playoff run.

As previously reported, Perry netted the game winner in Anaheim's 3-2 overtime win against Nashville in Game 4 Thursday night. That was his third overtime goal of 2017, which matches him with Mel Hall and Maurice Richard from 1939 and 1951 respectively.

Jakob Silfverberg had a goal and two assists in Friday's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

The 26-year-old had the best year of his career last season, as he accumulated 23 goals and 49 points in 79 games. Silfverberg has seen his point totals increase or stay the same in each year. Don't be surprised if he picks up over 50 points in 2017-18. He'll only have fantasy value in deeper fantasy leagues.

Patrick Eaves, who has been dealing with a lower-body injury, hasn't resumed skating.

Eaves also hasn't played in a preseason game yet and at this point he might not be able to before the exhibition schedule ends. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle didn't want to rule out the possibility of Eaves getting into a preseason game, but unsurprising he'd like to see Eaves participate in a practice first.

Fiore played the wing alongside Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and managed to pot a goal in a 4-2 loss to Vegas. The 21-year-old undrafted Fiore led the QMJHL in goals last season with 52 and has impressed the Ducks thus far. "He shoots the puck and he gets to areas and gets chances," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "He had a decent night but then the one faceoff comes back and goes through his legs and he whiffs it and falls down. And that doesn’t look very good and he doesn’t feel very good about it. But he’s a young kid and you just don’t want to overwhelm him in those situations. He’s been a pleasant surprise at camp for sure." Fiore is likely headed for the minors as the injured Patrick Eaves is expected to play on the top unit once he returns from injury but keep an eye in the future on Fiore.

Sami Vatanen (shoulder) might be available to play sometime in November.

He won't be a full participant at training camp, but feels he is on the right track. "It's not ready yet," Vatanen said. "I'm progressing every day. I've been skating right now and doing a little bit of passing and shooting. It feels better every week. We've just got to keep doing what we're doing and try not to have any setbacks."

Cam Fowler is thrilled that he will be with the Ducks for another eight seasons.

The 25-year-old inked a deal worth $52 million on Saturday and obviously could not be happier. "I love the locker room we have," Fowler said. "In terms of the core, we’re still going to be pretty much the same team. The biggest thing that went into it was the foundation we have in place right now and being able to continue coming to the rink with these guys every day." Fowler had 11 goals and 39 points last season but look for 40-45 points in 2017-18 and draft him in the middle rounds.

The 23-year-old underwent surgery over the summer, but general manager Bob Murray expects him to miss just under a month of the regular season. Lindholm had six goals and 14 assists in 66 contests last season. He averaged 22:26 of ice time in 2016-17. Ducks blue liner Sami Vatanen (shoulder) will also be out until Nov. 1.

Francois Beauchemin has reportedly signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

He confirmed the news to TVA Sports on Monday. He can earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses. Beauchemin was bought out by the Colorado Avalanche during the off-season, but the veteran seems to have landed in a good situation with his former team. He spent parts of five seasons with the Ducks between 2011 and 2015 and another three seasons with them between 2006 and 2009. He had five goals and 18 points in 81 games with the Avs last season. Don't expect him to carry much fantasy value going into next season.

With Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen both scheduled to miss the start of the regular season, the Ducks will need to rely on Brandon Montour to play more minutes.

"Obviously I’m up for the task," Montour said. "I’m just up for whatever they decide, right? When I hear my name get called I’m going to be out there and be ready to go. Those guys are two key parts of our team. It kind of (stinks) having those guys out. But we’re going to battle obviously with what we’ve got. We’ll be fine." The 23-year-old had two goals and six points in 27 games with the Ducks last season. Both Lindholm and Vatanen are expected to be out until early November.

The Anaheim Ducks did not protect defenseman Josh Manson in the expansion draft.

Rumor has it that the Ducks have made a deal with Vegas not to take Manson but that will be revealed on Wednesday. The players kept by Anaheim include: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Rickard Rakell, Ryan Kesler, Andrew Cogliano, Antoine Vermette, Jakub Silfverberg, Kevin Bieksa, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm and John Gibson. Sami Vatanen was also left unprotected.

According to reports, Kevin Bieksa was not asked to waive his no-movement clause.

It's believed that Anaheim has a deal worked out with the Vegas Golden Knights to keep some of their talented blueliners on the roster. Bieksa has been mentioned as a potential buyout candidate, but that may not be necessary now either.

Korbinian Holzer has signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.8 million total with the Anaheim Ducks.

Holzer is 29 years old and couldn't crack the Ducks' lineup very often last season, while playing in just 32 games. There might be an opening for Holzer to see regular action in 2017-18 now that Clayton Stoner and Shea Theadore are on the Vegas Golden Knights.

John Gibson was unable to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final because of a hamstring injury.

Jonathan Bernier started for the Ducks in Gibson's place and he surrendered four goals on 16 shots in a 6-3 loss. Gibson posted a 2.59 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in the postseason. The Ducks were eliminated on Monday night in six games.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed goaltender Ryan Miller to a two-year/$4 million contract.

Miller's wife will be happy with this signing as she is an actress and the Ducks should also benefit as Miller will provide starter John Gibson with some experienced relief in net. Miller will make a nice handcuff for Gibson but barring any injuries, should see action in 25-35 games. Miller played in 54 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season and lost his last seven games to end the season at 18-29-6, but the Ducks are much better than Vancouver and his record should be a lot better next season.